The crossing of the Litani River, a key moment in the IDF ground maneuver in southern Lebanon, was achieved after a failed initial attempt, according to a new account. Engineering forces built temporary crossings to enable the advance, and the area, once an active battlefield, is now calm, the account notes.
The crossing of the Litani River, which opened the IDF's ground route into southern Lebanon, was achieved only after a failed first attempt, according to a new account published as part of a series. The engineering forces built temporary crossings — described as rolling bridges — that allowed armored and infantry units to cross the river, which was a key defensive line for Hezbollah.
The Zioneer has previously reported on the crossing from multiple angles. In June, the first tank crew to cross the Litani recounted their encounters with Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon. The 7th Brigade commander described the engineering feat as an 'impossible' achievement, with D9 dozers reaching the river under heavy fire. Separately, the IDF was reported to be within kilometers of Nabatieh after crossing the Litani via a newly built bridge.
The latest account, the third in a series, reflects on the current state of the area — noting that the river flows even in July and that the long drive along its banks makes it easy to forget the recent fighting. The crossing of the Litani was one of the key points of the maneuver, and its success was a turning point, according to the narrative.
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